The air shimmered with a faint hum as Kael El blinked into existence, his boots sinking into the dry, cracked earth of a barren plot. A lazy grin tugged at his lips as he stretched, cracking his neck with a casual roll. So this is it, huh? My new playground. The sky above stretched endlessly, a swirling tapestry of violet and gold, hinting at the cosmic forces that had dumped him here. In his mind, a gamer's instincts flared—years of grinding MMOs had prepped him for this exact moment.
Before him stood a rickety hut, its wooden frame leaning slightly as if embarrassed by its own simplicity. A small pile of supplies—grains, dried meat, a waterskin—sat beside it, enough for 8 days if he rationed right. Beyond the plot, a sparse forest loomed, its twisted trees whispering secrets of the wild. No weapons, no tools, just the basics. Kael's grin widened. Perfect. I've started with less.
A sharp ding echoed in his skull, and a translucent panel flared to life before his eyes.
"Welcome, Lord Kael El, to the Lord World. Territory Level: 1. Day 1 of 7-Day Peace Period Initiated. Talent Activation: SSS – 100% Drop Rate. EX – 10,000x Drop Multiplier."
Kael's pulse quickened, though his expression stayed cool as ever. Two talents? SSS and… EX? He'd never heard of an EX-tier in any game, but the implications hit like a truck. Every loot drop guaranteed, then multiplied by ten thousand—quality or quantity, his choice. His mind raced, already plotting. This isn't a gift. It's a cheat code.
"Alright, system," he muttered, voice smooth and flirty, as if coaxing a date. "What's the catch?"
"Objective: Survive. Conquer. Ascend. Territory Level caps your growth. Current cap: Level 10 (Rising Lord, Low Tier). Upgrade your domain to unlock your potential."
Kael chuckled, running a hand through his dark hair. Survive, huh? I don't just survive—I dominate. His confidence wasn't bravado; it was bedrock. No matter the odds, he'd faced worse in virtual hellscapes and walked out grinning. This? This was just a bigger sandbox.
He paced the plot, assessing. The hut was a joke—barely big enough for him, let alone a kingdom. The food would last 8 days, but the 7-day peace period meant no rival lords could touch him yet. After that? Open season. He'd need more than a shack and some jerky. Resources first. Then people. Then power.
Kael knelt by the supply pile, inspecting it. A faint glow pulsed from a small, cracked stone buried in the dirt—a Resource Node. He smirked, brushing it off. Bingo.
"Ding! Resource Node Discovered. Yield: 10 Wood, 5 Stone. Collect?"
"Collect," he said, voice steady. The node shimmered, disgorging a stack of timber and rough stones—then, a second ding.
"SSS Talent Triggered: 100% Drop Rate. Additional Yield: 1 Basic Tool Set. EX Talent Triggered: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quality Enhanced: Basic Tool Set upgraded to Mastercraft Tool Set."
The air rippled, and a sleek leather pouch landed in his hands. Inside gleamed a hammer, chisel, and axe, their edges razor-sharp, handles perfectly balanced. Kael whistled low. From junk to top-tier in one pull. This is gonna be fun.
He hefted the axe, testing its weight, then strode to the nearest tree. One swing, and it splintered like glass, toppling with a crash. Another ding.
"Resource Gained: 20 Wood. SSS Talent: Additional Drop – 1 Seedling. EX Talent: 10,000x Multiplier Applied. Quantity Enhanced: 10,000 Seedlings."
A cascade of tiny green sprouts buried his feet, spilling across the plot. Kael laughed, a deep, carefree sound. Ten thousand trees from one chop? I'm gonna drown in loot before Day 2.
His mind shifted gears, strategic and resolute. The hut needed upgrading—fast. He'd turn it into a lodge, then figure out summoning. The system had mentioned a cap, but his talents screamed potential. No one's boxing me in. Not rival lords, not this world, not even that Empress chick watching from on high.
As the sun dipped, casting long shadows, Kael worked. The Mastercraft Tools made it effortless—wood slotted into place, stone reinforced the frame. Sweat beaded on his brow, but his posture stayed relaxed, almost nonchalant. Pressure? He thrived on it.
By dusk, the hut was gone. In its place stood a sturdy lodge, twice the size, with a slanted roof and a small porch. Kael leaned against the doorframe, wiping his hands, when a new ding chimed.
"Territory Upgrade Progress: 500/1,000 Resources Gathered. Additional Structure Unlocked: Summoning Altar Blueprint. Requirements: 100 Wood, 50 Stone, 1 Mana Crystal."
Kael's eyes narrowed, a flirty smirk playing on his lips. Summoning, huh? Time to build my crew. He glanced at the forest. Mana Crystals wouldn't grow on trees, but with his talents? He'd find one. Or ten thousand.
"Day 1 down," he murmured, voice dripping with confidence. "Six more to prep. Then this world's mine."
The violet sky darkened, stars winking like eyes. Kael didn't flinch. Let them watch. He'd give them a show worth seeing.